2006, 10-24 Regular Meeting MinutesMayor Wilhite called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., and welcomed everyone to the 103 meeting.
Attendance:
Diana Wilhite, Mayor
Steve Taylor, Deputy Mayor
Mike DeVleming, Councilmember
Dick Denenny, Councilmember
Bill Gothmann, Councilmember
Gary Schimmels, Councilmember
Absent:
Councilmember Munson
MINUTES
City of Spokane Valley
City Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
INVOCATION: Deputy Mayor Taylor gave the invocation.
City Staff:
Dave Mercier, City Manager
Cary Driskell, Deputy City Attorney
Cal Walker, Police Chief
Ken Thompson, Finance Director
Mike Jackson, Parks & Recreation Director
Greg McCormick, Planning Manager
Marina Sukup, Community Development Director
Neil Kersten, Public Works Director
Carolbelle Branch, Public Information Officer
Greg Bingaman, IT Specialist
Chris Bainbridge, City Clerk
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Wilhite led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL: City Clerk Bainbridge called roll; all Councilmembers were present except
Councilmember Munson. It was moved by Councilmember Denenny, seconded, and unanimously agreed
to excuse Councilmember Munson from tonight's meeting.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was moved by Deputy Mayor Taylor, seconded, and unanimously
agreed to approve the agenda.
INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS: None.
COMMITTEE, BOARD, LIAISON SUMMARY REPORTS:
Councilmember Schimmels: reported that he attended a Spokane Regional Transportation Council
monthly meeting; that last week that group held an open house at East Valley Middle School on bridging
the valley; and that he also attended last week's Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Regional
meeting at CenterPlace.
Deputy Mayor Taylor: stated that he also attended the AWC Regional meeting.
Councilmember Gothmann: said that he attended a dinner sponsored by Goodwill; the AWC meeting; and
also attended the Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee meeting concerning funds
for the homeless where the Task Force presented their proposed funding allocations to Commissioner
Mark Richards and Mayor Hession.
MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Wilhite reported that in addition to attending the AWC Regional Meeting;
she represented the City at the Hirability Today presentation, where community members and companies
were honored for hiring people with disabilities; she attended the Spokane Chambers (Regional and
Greater Spokane Valley Chambers) meeting to discuss legislative agendas; that she took a tour of
Opportunity School as the Central Valley School Board will have their measure on the ballot; and she
attended an alliance for justice to honor justices who perform pro bono work.
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Approved by Council: 11 -14 -06
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mayor Wilhite invited general public comments. No comments were offered.
1. PUBLIC HEARING: 2007 Proposed Budget — Ken Thompson
Mayor Wilhite opened the public hearing at 6:09 p.m. and welcomed Finance Director Thompson to the
podium. Director Thompson explained that this is the third and final public hearing on the 2007 budget,
and he brought Council's attention to the updated "blue" pages to be inserted in the budget books; and
added that even these pages will be further updated to correct typographical errors and minor changes.
Mr. Thompson reported that the total budget is $76 million, and includes several reserves, some new
items such as funds for a lobbyist and for the records management program, and that rather than 6.35 new
employees, there will be 7.35 as Council approved the experimental position of Administrative Assistant
at CenterPlace. Mr. Thompson said also not included in the budget and an item which staff seeks council
direction, concerns the $21,000 requested for a GIS site locator program; that the decision need not be
made now, but a decision will need to be made within the next two weeks. Mayor Wilhite invited public
comment; no comments were offered and Mayor Wilhite closed the public hearing at 6:14 p.m.
2. PUBLIC HEARING: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)— Greg McCormick
Mayor Wilhite opened the public hearing at 6:14 p.m. and welcomed Planning Manager McCormick. Mr.
McCormick explained that the purpose of this hearing is to receive public testimony regarding the
proposed list of paveback projects, which list was reviewed by Council at the last meeting, and to gather
other public input including suggestions for other projects. Because of the time constraint, Mr.
McCormick added that he would also like to request a motion tonight from Council to authorize city staff
to prepare the appropriate CDBG Application materials for the list of projects as specified by Council, to
submit to Spokane County. Mayor Wilhite invited public comment; no comments were offered and
Mayor Wilhite closed the public hearing at 6:23 p.m. City Manager Mercier suggested that Council add
as tonight's agenda item #9a, the recommended motion as mentioned above. Council concurred.
3. CONSENT AGENDA: Consists of items considered routine which are approved as a group. A
Councilmember may remove an item from the Consent Agenda to be considered separately.
a. Claim Voucher List 10 -09 -2006; Vouchers 10111 - 101650; total amount: $840,757.52
b. Payroll for Period Ending October 15, 2006: $154,985.58
c. Resolution 06 -019 Setting Public Hearing for Street Vacation STV 03 -06
d. Resolution 06 -020 Setting Public Hearing for Street Vacation STV 04 -06
e. Minutes of October 10, 2006 Regular Council Meeting
f. Minutes of October 17, 2006 Council Study Session Meeting
It was moved by Councilmember Taylor, seconded and unanimously agreed to approve the Consent
Agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
4. Second Reading Proposed Ordinance 06 -022 Levying Property Tax — Ken Thompson
After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Taylor and seconded
to approve ordinance 06 -022 levying property taxes at $1.60 per thousand dollars of assessed value for
the city of Spokane Valley 2007 budget. Finance Director Thompson explained the background of the
ordinance levying the property tax, and that section 1 total amount should be $9,520,000 rather than the
stated $9,303,040. It was moved by Deputy Mayor Taylor and seconded, to amend the motion to approve
ordinance 06 -022 to amend section one total amount of $9,520,000. After brief discussion of the
ordinance, Mayor Wilhite invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation to
amend the motion: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Abstentions: None. Motion carried. Vote by
acclamation on the amended motion: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Abstentions: None.
Motion carried.
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Approved by Council: 11 -14 -06
5. Second Reading Proposed Ordinance 06 -023 Confirming Excess Property Tax Levy — Ken Thompson
After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Taylor and seconded,
to approve ordinance 06 -023 confirming the City's desire to levy the 1 % increase in property tax for
2007. Finance Director Thompson explained that state law requires an ordinance be passed confirming
our desire to levy the annual 1% allowable increase in property tax, even though that tax increase might
not be necessary. Mayor Wilhite invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by
Acclamation: In Favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Abstentions: None. Motion carried.
6. First Reading Proposed Ordinance 06 -024 Adopting 2007 Budget — Ken Thompson
After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Taylor and seconded
to advance ordinance 06 -024 to a second reading. Mr. Thompson explained that several public hearings
have been held on the 2007 budget, that the $21,000 for the site locator needs to be decided within the
next two weeks; and that the street fund appropriation needs to be slightly higher based on Council's prior
direction; and that number, closer to $4 million, will be changed prior to the ordinance's second reading.
After brief discussion concerning $95,000 for impact fee study, and the Parks and Recreation lowered
budget, which is a reflection on the YMCA contract and upcoming pool renovations, Mayor Wilhite
invited public comment. No comments were offered. City Manager Mercier mentioned that since there is
no meeting October 31, and the November 7 meeting will be short, that Council might want to voice a
preference on the site locator now, to either approve, reject, reserve the funds now with formal allocation
at a later date, or to approve the current budget keeping in mind that the budget can be amended some
time in the following year.
Council discussion included reserving funds now to formally allocate later; that the Economic
Development Council supports the site locator proposal and does not see it to be in competition with their
other proposals; increasing the funding for outside agencies by $21,000; whether Coeur d'Alene and
northern Idaho are included in this site locator area; and that the request falls outside the budget and is not
in order at this time. It was moved by Councilmember DeVleming and seconded, to amend the motion to
amend the budget to set the placeholder of $21,000 for decision at a later time. Mayor Wilhite invited
public comment; no comments were offered. Vote to amend the motion: In Favor: Mayor Wilhite and
Councilmembers Schimmels, Denenny, and DeVleming. Opposed: Deputy Mayor Taylor and
Councilmember Gothmann. Abstentions: None. Motion carried.
Further Council/staff discussion continued concerning the winter weather reserve fund; the philosophy of
reserves; the general fund versus the street fund; that for the last two years $2 million a year was moved
from the general fund to the street fund, and that this coming year the amount is approximately $900,000;
funding priorities and distinctions; and a reminder that the upcoming budget numbers are estimates.
Vote by acclamation on the amended motion to advance ordinance 06 -024 , adopting the 2007 budget to
a second reading, and to amend the budget by setting the placeholder of $21,000 for a decision at a later
time: In favor.: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Abstentions: None. Motion carried.
7. First Reading Proposed Ordinance 06 -025 Amending 10.30.560 Appeal Fee — Cary Driskell
After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Taylor and seconded,
to suspend the rules and adopt ordinance 06 -025. Legal Intern Patrice Clemons explained that the
purpose of this ordinance is to amend Spokane Valley Municipal Code 10.30.560 to clearly state that the
filing of an appeal is contingent upon complete payment of the appeal fee. Mayor Wilhite invited public
comment; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation: In favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None.
Abstentions: None. Motion carried.
Council Meeting: 10 -24 -06 Page 3 of 5
Approved by Council: 11 -14 -06
8. First Reading Proposed Ordinance 06 -026 Amending 9.05.030 School Speed Zones — Neil Kersten
After City Clerk Bainbridge read the ordinance title, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Taylor and seconded,
to suspend the rules and adopt ordinance 06 -026. Public Works Director Kersten explained that this
ordinance would amend the City's code to state that the City may amend or adopt school speed zones as
necessary, and designate school speed zones with approved signage options; and that any changes to
speed limits or school speed zones shall be done by resolution. Mayor Wilhite invited public comment;
no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation: In favor: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Abstentions:
None. Motion carried.
9. Motion Consideration: Extend Deadline for Comprehensive Plan Amendments Applications — Marina
Sukup
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Taylor and seconded to accept Comprehensive Plan Amendment
applications for the 2007 Annual Comprehensive Plan Update until 5:00 p.m. Friday, December 29,
2006. Community Development Director Sukup explained that the extension for this year is necessary in
order to provide at least 60 -day's notice to anyone desiring to amend the comprehensive plan as the
deadline stated in the ordinance is November 1, and that date does not provide ample time for advance
notification. Mayor Wilhite invited public comment; no comments were offered. In response to Council
question, Director Sukup stated that this extension is a one -time occasion; that Council adopted the
ordinance establishing procedures to annually amend the Comp Plan, and that ordinance effective date
was September 27, 2006; hence a November 1 application deadline would not provide time for the full
60 -day notice. Vote by Acclamation: In favor.: Unanimous. Opposed: None. Abstentions: None. Motion
carried.
9a Motion Consideration: Community Development Block Grant applications — Greg McCormick
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Taylor and seconded, to authorize city staff to prepare the appropriate
community development block grant applications for projects identified by City Council. Mayor Wilhite
invited public comment; no comments were offered. Vote by Acclamation: In favor: Unanimous.
Opposed: None. Abstentions: None. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS . Mayor Wilhite invited general public comments.
Gail Stiltner, 10119 E 44 Avenue: commented about school zones in general rather than flashing lights;
and wanted to plead with Council to not study this indefinitely; she said that this is a difficult issue for
law enforcement and citizens; that her teenage grandchildren don't understand the rules; that she asked
the police chief to explain the rules and he couldn't; that when traffic tickets are issued they are many
times overturned as the term "when children are present" is ambiguous; and that she feels it reasonable to
set times and let common sense rule during times not otherwise posted.
Mayor Wilhite called for a recess at 7:17 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 7: 28 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
10. UDC Title 20 Subdivision Regulations (aka Title 14) — Greg McCormick
Planning Manager McCormick gave an overview of the draft subdivision regulation ordinance, including
an explanation the various sections, and term definitions. Council /staff discussion included the
application process and mention of electronic maps for preliminary and /or final design; the various types
of hearings and hearing notice procedures.
11. Governance Manual — Councilmember DeVleming
Councilmember DeVleming explained that this is the third annual revision of the Governance Manual,
and that this year he and Councilmembers Denenny and Gothmann, along with City Manager Mercier and
City Clerk Bainbridge, worked to further revise and refine the document. Councilmember DeVleming
also mentioned the highlighted areas in the redline version are council reminders; and further went over
Council Meeting: 10 -24 -06 Page 4 of 5
Approved by Council: 11 -14 -06
the proposed changes to the document, including a large change on the public hearing portion, dividing
the public hearing information into legislative hearings, and quasi juridical hearings. Mr. DeVleming
also mentioned the need to keep staff informed of meeting attendance. The exhibit of the telephone tree
was also mentioned, and Mayor Wilhite stated that the form was approved several years ago, but no
names were included on the form, and she mentioned the need to have a current telephone tree.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: None
There being no further business, it was moved by Deputy Mayor Taylor, seconded, and unanimously
agreed to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
ATTEST:
4
Kristine Bainbridge, City Clerk
C-tsw 6\Akti,
Diana Wilhite, Mayor
Council Meeting: 10 - 24 - 06 Page 5 of 5
Approved by Council: 11 -14 -06